Russia warns of retaliation following Sweden's NATO membership approval

Zakharova expressed concern about the potential negative impact of Sweden's accession to NATO on stability in Northern Europe and the Baltic region. She emphasized that abandoning Sweden's longstanding policy of military non-alignment and joining a bloc perceived as openly hostile to Russia could undermine the feeling of security among the Swedish public.

"We will take retaliatory political and military-technical measures to deter threats to our country's defense capability," Zakharova stated during a briefing. The specific content of these measures will be determined based on Sweden's integration with NATO, including the possibility of installing NATO strike systems, weapons, and forces on Swedish territory.

Sweden formally applied for NATO membership in 2022, and Türkiye, as a NATO member, imposed certain conditions for ratifying Sweden's accession. Türkiye recently completed the ratification process, leaving Hungary as the only NATO member yet to ratify Sweden's membership. Hungary has indicated its readiness to ratify Sweden's NATO accession once Türkiye does so. The developments highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the implications of Sweden aligning itself with NATO. (ILKHA)